Eligibility criteria for admission in B.Arch has been causing a lot of confusion and it seems like the matter is still not fully resolved, given the seemingly contradictory provisions between what is stated by NTA (National Testing Agency) vis-a-vis Council of Architecture (CoA).

Here’s a quick summary of eligibility by three prominent entities for B.Arch Admissions:

The devil is in the details. Let’s analyze what the NTA & NATA say regarding Eligibility -

As per NTA : As per information provided by National Testing Agency (NTA) for JEE Mains 2019, the subjects combinations required for admission in B.Arch / B.Planning in NITs, IIITs, and other CFTIs is

- Passed 10+2 examination with Mathematics

It further states the following :

- The above mentioned policy could also be adopted by other Technical Institutions participating in counselling through JoSAA/CSAB. In case a State opts to admit students in the engineering Colleges affiliated to State Universities, the State may prepare separate rank list based on criteria decided by them.

As per CoA : As per the notification dated 7th Aug 2018 release by of Council of Architecture (CoA) and its Gazette notification dated 29 May 2017, “No candidate shall be admitted to architecture course unless she/ he has passed an examination at the end of the 10+2 scheme of examination with 50% marks in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics and also 50% marks in aggregate of the 10+2 level examination”.

Clarification obtained from CoA : On enquiring through a telephonic call to the Academic Cell of CoA on 28 Aug 2018, it was advised that starting with the current 10+2 batch (Class 12 students of 2018-19), it is mandatory to study Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics in 10+2 in order to take admission in B.Arch.

Students’ dilemma : Besides the above, some institutes / universities accept NATA while many others (eg. IITs, UPSEE, AMU) conduct their own separate Architecture Aptitude Test. This has been causing a lot of confusion amongst students aspiring to get into B.Arch. In fact our interactions with scores of students in recent years also brought forth the fact that many students having aptitude for B.Arch did not even know that they could have got admission in B.Arch without having studied Science subjects in 10+2.

Expectation from NTA, CoA and concerned Ministry : It is urgently required on part of the governing bodies to bring in the required clarity and disseminate the information to all stake holders.